Activities, News & Announcements

​The first meeting of the joint parish planning taskforce was held at St. Mary on February 8, 2018. All taskforce members were in attendance. Taskforce membersare:St. Henry St. MaryFr. Don Czapla Fr. Greg BahlBrian Burlage Melchor AvalosDick Hierstein Mary Beth NeffJulie Swartz Deacon Tom RenzeCarrie Seberger Dick SchradDan Rohner from the Archdiocese of Dubuque will serve as facilitator.The purpose of the taskforce was discussed. The taskforce is charged with studyingthe possibility of uniting St. Henry and St. Mary into one parish. The expectedproduct of this work is a report to Archbishop Jackels recommending whether St.Henry and St. Mary should become one or remain separate parishes. If therecommendation is to become one parish, it is expected both churches wouldremain open and two priests would continue to serve.Taskforce members introduced themselves and commented on what they hope toaccomplish through this work and what concerns they may have. A summary of thecomments:Hopes• True unity• Focus on how to best serve the Catholic community• Help people to know Jesus• Be open to the direction of the Holy Spirit• Recognize strength in our diversity• Focus on our sharing of one faith• Be “transparent”, communicate wellConcerns• Disunity• Resistance to change• Discomfort leading to anger• Apathy among parishioners, loss of interest in the faith• Resistance to attending services at church across town• Being unable to respond to parishioners’ questions, comments, concerns2CommunicationThe taskforce discussed the importance of proactive communication withparishioners as well as the community at large. Various methods of communicationwill be used including:• Bulletin announcements after each meeting• Announcements at weekend Masses• Website updates• Publication of the names of taskforce members inviting parishioners tocontact them with questions and comments• Invitation to parishioners to attend taskforce meetings as observers• Town hall meetings (first ones tentatively scheduled for the weekend ofFebruary 24 & 25)• Proactive communication with area media (recommended that a pressrelease be sent after the March 8th meeting)It was recommended that a spokesperson be chosen to be the point of contact formedia inquiries. A spokesperson ensures the consistency of message and relievesother taskforce members from being placed in a position to answer questions towhich they don’t feel qualified to answer.ScheduleThe meeting concluded with confirmation that the task force will meet on the 2ndand 4th Thursdays of the month through May. The next meeting is scheduled forFebruary 22nd in the basement of the St. Mary rectory.